This week we are going to look at 'kids and allergies'.

Each week we get calls from expectant mothers wanting to get rid of their pets, as they assume the pets will give their babies allergies or diseases. This is not true and, indeed, the opposite is true: pets are good for you and your children.

Lots of research has been done on this subject and the results are very surprising. Paediatricians have done studies that now prove that having pets in early childhood reduces the risks of allergies by up to 77 per cent. In a test carried out on 474 six year olds in Detroit about 33 per cent who were not exposed to pets as babies tested positive for allergies.

Pets also reduce the risk of other allergies, such grass, dust mites, and may also reduce the odds of having respiratory disease like asthma. Exposing the child to bacteria causes the immune system to develop a response system against allergies. Indeed, it is now well known that having a very clean environment may take away the chance for the child to develop these defences. So the old saying' a little dirt never did anyone any harm' is very true.

Your pet will help keep your child active, teach responsibility, give loads of love, friendship, and exercise and will teach your child respect for animals.

So if you are pregnant, do not get rid of your pet who is already a member of your family, instead welcome the new arrival together.

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